December is almost over and here's looking to the New Year.
I'm so looking forward to 2010 for the following reasons:
1. Manila vacation 2. Another semester at uni 3. Get back to writing and reading 4. Getting to know the people I met the past year
Looking back, 2009 wasn't all that bad. Of course, my break-up with Neil isn't exactly one for the books, but thinking about it now, it happened for a good reason. Considering how fast I have moved on, I know that we would have eventually broken up.
I started Uni and lived in a new country. I learned to be independent and looked out for myself. I met new people, mostly Indonesians, thanks to Helda. I contributed to her friends list as well. I got the chance to hang out and get to know Mark, a Filipino from work. He's one friend I wanna keep. And I know he genuinely cares for me and Helda, judging by how he checks on us. He could even stand to go on a marathon texting with with me for 4 hours haha.
But I miss him... he's someone I met recently. I know it's a bit early to like someone... as in like someone but he's a really good guy and it just felt good to be near him. But things were pretty inconsistent so I'm not banking on anything just yet. I'm not even sure if we'll be given the chance to be close as friends. Still... i'm just going with the flow.
Bye 2009 and hello 2010. I have high hopes that things will look good for me... look good for the Filipino people and most importantly less calamities for the Philippines. I'm not even thinking about less poverty for my country coz' its something that cannot be taken away from the poor, but then again a better life for them would suffice.
Today was a really sad moment for Helda and I. Losh left Melbourne for good and will be back in Singapore in three hours or so. Though she left us really nice farewell gifts, it would have been better if she could have stayed for a few months more.
 Helda and I sent Losh and her family off at the airport. It wasn't at all emotional since we spent an hour and a half unpacking and repacking to make it to the airline's weight limit. And by the time Losh checked in, it was 30 minutes before her flight is due, hence it was impossible to say proper goodbyes.
At the Skybus going back to the city, Helda and I opened Losh's cards. I was never the type to cry, but her simple message moved me to tears (okay, when i say tears, it was just a trickle or two). So simple and straight forward it was that I missed her more while reading through her card. She gave me also a red bra trinket which can be used as a pendant and a charm for a bracelet. She calls me P-starr since we joke about naughty stuff, and the bra trinket will definitely remind me of those moments we shared.
While Losh is older than me by three years (yes, she's 28), we are very much alike in little ways. We're both strong-willed and nonchalant at times. While I fall in love easily, she doesn't, and while i move on from a bad love experience as quick as the breeze, she doesn't --- but she definitely knows how to look at the positive side of every experience.
It is indefinite when I'll be seeing Losh again, but she will surely be missed. And Melbourne will definitely not be the same without her. --- O yeah, had dinner with stevie wonder as well. I so pity him since he looked really sleepy. I know someone when they looked like they wanna snooze at the moment, and steve's eyes were definitely a dead giveaway. I had salmon sashimi... yummmm... Did i mention that I love Sashimi so much? Now I'm saying that I absolutely love it...
We talked about stuff and from the looks of it, we are bit different on the uptake -- which isn't exactly an issue to me. We parted early coz' I felt guilt when i look into his almost-shut-eyes. What touched me was when he waited with me at the Melb Central station for almost 30 mins until my train arrives, even though he really had to go. I could tell that he was hesitant to stay, but still he stayed. Indos are nice pala... haha.
He'll be leaving for Jakarta and the 25th, and when he gets back I'll be in Manila. Steve P. you will also be missed. Pasalubong from Jakarta! --- Yes yes yes... people always leave. Bon Voyage Steve! Hope to see you when we both get back. To Losh... hmmm i'll see you in my dreams for the moment.
I had a blast last Sunday -- one of the best i ever had. I started my day early going to Helda's Indonesian Baptist church. I slept over at her place the previous night to spare me the agony of having to wake up early. She was singing that day so she demanded that I watch her and I was left with no choice.
I was kind of hesitant to go at first thinking that I would be the only non-Indonesian there. True enough, I was the only foreigner. Being one was embarrassing enough already, and yet the pastor had to acknowledge my presence in front of the crowd. In fairness, the church was high-tech equipped with head phones and personal interpreters. This guy Asha was my own personal interpreter for that day. While he did a good job capturing the main points and doing side jokes in between interpreting, his voice was very mellow and husky. Imagine a dad singing lullaby to a baby. I almost slept in the middle of the sermon.
After the whole event, Helda introduced me to some people there. Everyone was so nice and most of them were amazed that I was named Starr. Kalvin, the bassist, even refer to it as the coolest name ever. I met people with English names like Michael, Grace and Kalvin, and at the same time met ones with very tribal names like Handoko, Asha...hmmm what else?
Some people invited us for lunch, while Kalvin invited us to hear this band play called Gospel Sunday at Yarraville. Since I live in Yarraville, Helda and I decided to come, afterall it would be so convenient for me going home after as the pub is just a 10 min walk away from where i live.
Of course, we were fashionably late. The band ends at 7:30pm while we arrived around 5pm. The lateness is understandable as we were informed about this event 2 hours before the band was scheduled to play. Kalvin met us outside the bar, and when we got there the place was semi-packed. It was not the usual bar, but its more of a family place with couches and since its a Gospel band that's playing that time, kids were also everywhere.
Their friend Aldo, another Indonesian was there already when we arrived. He was only 18 (like Rond's age), but he apparently is an excellent guitarist (or is it vocalist?). Not long, Steve, Kalvin's friend arrived as well. I was told that he was an excellent drummer. so I was basically in the company of Indonesian musicians. The band started to play their next set about 10 minutes after we arrived.
They were really good man! The vocals were superb. There were three vocalists, one girl and two guys and there voices blended pretty well. The accompaniments were complete too --- drums, base, keyboard. And performance level talaga sila. There renditions of praise songs were more of rap and ballad and pop. They played one more set after that until 7.
After the last song, we stayed a bit more until the pub closed at 730. We were just joking around as Kalvin's really a joker and he's very cheery. For a guy, he does have a lot to say... he talks way too much. Sometimes I thought I couldn't keep up. Steve was on the reserved side, but he's funny as well and cracked a bit of jokes.
Since Kalvin is meeting up with some of his friends for dinner somewhere in Richmond, he invited the three of us. So since I have nothing better to do and Steve offered to take me home, I said okay. Good thing, Steve has a car, which saved us from riding the train.
We had Chinese-Vietnamese cuisine. And there were all in all a total of 7 Indonesians and I, the only Filipino. The food was good. I just felt a bit awkward that I can't speak or understand their language. And I felt a bit out of place when they were all speaking Indonesian all at the same time. I wished I wasn't there then... 
We left the restaurant at around quarter past nine maybe. The car ride back to the city was fun too... Kalvin was being his usual quirky self at the back. I had to stay at the passenger seat since Steve is driving me home. We dropped Kalvin and Helda off in Bourke St before we drove to my place.
I was really so shy that I keep on asking him whether it was okay... I had to give the guy credit for his patience. haha. So in the car, we talked about him, his family, my mom and some personal stuff. When we reached Yarraville, he didn't quite know where the way to my house is since we passed by another direction, so we had to stop at the side to look at the map.
I must have been really tired or he's just bad at maps, hence he relegated the map-looking and finding out where we are to me. He even pretended to go to sleep. The genius that I am, we managed to find our way. So I asked him whether he was really sleepy, and he said a bit, so I offered him to have coffee at home before he goes. Though I warned him that I don't make good coffee.
So yes, he went down for coffee. I introduced him to Ms Gemma and Ben. We stayed in the kitchen, I made coffee. He liked it black and he likes the wafer sticks to go with it as well. Ms Gemma was offering him pies and ice cream but we were so full coming from dinner.
We stayed in the kitchen for almost an hour and talked about nonsense stuff like my allergy, his fish bone experience. He told me that he'll buy me something authentic from Jakarta since he'll be spending the holidays there. We talked about him being a drummer and his job. But since it was past midnight, I had to shoo him home. Especially since we both have work the next day.
On the way out, he said that the people are so nice. We stayed another 10 mins at the door playing with the cat and talking nonsense again. On the way to the gate, he asked me when he'll be seeing me again, I said maybe next week when he's not busy. He said he's not usually busy so he just asked for my number. We stayed another 10 mins more at the gate to talk.
He then told me to go inside as its cold outside. I said that i'll watch him drive away. So when he was in his car, he keeps in shouting something at me that we ended up talking for another 5 mins while he's at the car and I was at the gate. Then finally, he drove home.
I texted him to check whether he was safe home, and he texted back that he was. ---
I reckon that it might just be a one time thing. But he called my mobile around 8pm a while back. He said he just came from work, and wanted to talk to me and hear my voice. So we talked for about 30 mins. And since we were talking about schedules, I told him that I'll be attending Losh's grad tom if he would like to come to the after party. But told him it would be so late since the grad ceremony might end late.
He said its okay since he's gonna bring his car. So I told him not to worry coz' I'll be sleeping over at Helda's on that day. He said that he should get used to getting bullied by me and that its okay for him to take me home. By the time he arrives from Jakarta, I'll be in Manila so like I always say a lot of things can happen in that span of time.
But as for now I'm just gonna enjoy his company. He may also be a bit short, but he's really cute. He's very mannered and a good boy at 28. He does not smoke and drinks less. Aside from being a programmer, he plays the drums at gigs. As per Kalvin, Steve must be the best drummer in the Indo community.
Steve, me , Kalvin and Helda. (aldo left early)
|  | he's into modelling now, and judging from his photos and mom's stories he's enjoying his new activity and the highs that come with it.
He's very gwapo in these photos, and as if by magic naglaho ang mga pimples niya. i'm a proud ate and am most especially proud of having a beautiful family (both physically and metaphysically).
oh, i'm making singit a photo of my chinese crush at the office. he looks way better (and older) in person. but as i've mentioned before i just find him cute (lalo na when he smiles), and that's just about that. Besides's i'm almost 3 years older. |
| | Clayton Victoria, AU 7/12/09 |
good morning!!! i'm thinking of signing up for a new blog soon, but then I thought that it does not really matter where i post my stuff... its for my own consumption anyway.
It was sherena's bday last night. Since she went to my bday celebration, gave me a silk scarf and I do really really like her, I just had to ask what her plans are for her birthday. Since her mom is here, she said that there's gonna be a small gathering at home and her mom's gonna cook. so that sounded yum, authentic chinese food yo! I brought Helda with me as I thought there would be heaps of people there, but as it turned out it was just her, her mom, her two housemates, a guy friend and us.
It wasn't a let down! When we arrived, all 7 dishes (was it just 7?) were laid out on the table.There were chopticks and chinese bowls set up as well. So we felt at home at an instant. There were photo ops first of course, the ceremonial blowing of candles and cutting of cake. Did you know that as per AU tradition, the celebrant who cuts the cake all the way down to the pan must kiss the person sitting in his/her left or right. So If you don't feel like kissing the persons beside you, only cut the cake halfway.
As i've said, the food are yum! I especially like the fried bean curd which you dip in vinegar. What's a bean curd anyway? I love the eggs sauteed in tomatoes as well. It has this sweet taste that blends well with the saltiness of the egg. The rice cakes are super nice too... that's hands down my favorite. I'm not sure how it was cooked, but what amazed me was everything was homemade. Rice cakes, home made?
The dessert was okay, it's sago in something. I just wished it was a bit sweeter and there'e a milk we could pour on top. The cake made up for the sago's lack of sweetness though.
It was a fun fun night. Although all of them are Chinese, except Helda, and her mom does not speak English ... it was nonetheless an awesome night. It was even funny how whenever we say something sherena had to translate it to her mom. But her mom really seems cool and very very motherly. Will post photos as soon as I get the chance.
Can't wait to go to Phillip Island with them. Was planning a trip to Sydney too but i'm booked for Manila already.
Happy Bday Sherena! Chu Chu!
---
oh oh, its raining really hard today! I had to fold my jeans way up to my mid calf so as to prevent it from getting wet. I hate wet weather...
 | ... | Dec 5, '09 6:13 PM
for everyone |
i just wanna say that i'm feeling particularly light today.
maybe because i saw titanic on TV for the nth time last night...
or i slept in until late today (i just got out of bed as we speak)...
or because its supposed to be our 3rd year anniversary and today is like any other day...
or maybe because i'm finally gonna hear mass after missing it for 3 consecutive Sundays already...
I plan on watching New Moon, but friends do not recommend it, or maybe i'll just go for a really long walk when the weather permits.
So what's it gonna be?
im at work and i'm blogging... in as much as i wan't to love this job, my responsibilities lack the spontaniety and excitement as compared to PR. I miss the meetings, the brainstorming, the toxic presentations and the sometimes frustrating client servicing. But this job is paying me well. I get to pay my rent on time and still have extra bucks to pay for my $200+++ phone bill. Yeah, i know the phone bill part is such a big amount, but I'm expecting to reduce it by more than half in the months to come. -- i'm crushing on Jason Statham right now! I watched half of Transporter 3 this morning and gotta love the muscles. I just can't help but wonder why he's still single? Gay? Prolly not. But he's definitely hotter as handsome Rob in the Italian Job. Yikes, I just realized that I have an inkling for muscles. -- I've talked to my mom via Skype like thrice already since she got home last Friday. She attended this Kerygma conference and maybe realized that she's lucky to have us. She's been homesick too since she left Australia, and perhaps is missing me as well. Well, i miss her too sometimes haha. But I don't think I could spend almost the whole day with her for another week. -- I don't wanna talk about my past relationship anymore, which by the way ended just recently, on a bitter-sweet note. But I'm just glad I got my closure already--- things were easier after that. Like I've been telling everyone I know, confirming what I already know, was not as painful as I expected. The day after the closure, I was back at work with my usual giggly self. I even went to the casino mind you. Yeah, I expected to wallow in pain considering the tumultous times I wen't through early this month, but I just felt nothing but light-headedness and at peace. Of course my friends who were very supportive made everything much easier. I tried to re-think and revert back to old plans and finally accepted that things happen for a reason. With that being said, I believe I would be able to hang out w him when I go home for a vaca without feeling anything but friendship. Of course, he will always be special, but other than that, he'll just be like any other friend, only a level higher.
I "think" I like someone right now, but its definitely not love yet. My sister even calls him my distraction... but sorry Rae, I'm positive that he'll be more than a distraction. Ha... I miss Rae and Rond. Seriously, things are changing for them both. My sister's looking at changing careers, while my bro is now into modelling. And speaking of which, I'll be able to attend his "coronation night" when I get home. Way to go Rond. Did I mention that he looks like a Rat when he was young? But now look, he's conceited as a swan.
Oh well, I guess I have to work now...
i used to write journal entries before, especially if i'm so happy or so sad. its good kasi to record all your emotions and get back to it and somehow learn from it. when i learned that neil had a diary documenting our journey together, i was so touched and wished i have done the same. now, its too late since we've broken up... sad to say more than 3 years is not enough to build a solid foundation we could call forever.
---23 November 2009---
me and mom just came from lorne, and it was a blast. i remembered texting neil that i wont be online yesterday and i was unable to leave him a message through YM. So when i opened my twitter today, I saw his posts about accepting etc etc. He had a few messages in my YM too... He seemed a little pissed that it took me a while to go online. I felt guilty especially since I was not able to talk to him through skype since mom arrived, so i called him in his cell, but he was not picking up. Tried calling him again hours after, and when he finally answered his mobile, he was as cold and frozen as fish.
Was so disappointed when he said that he'll just bring this girl home. He was talking to me like i was a nobody. I hate to call myself a trash, but that's how i felt when talking to him. Its like we were not together for almost four years.
I began to ask myself if this was the man i once loved so much? is this the man i was planning to give my dreams up for? And began to wonder whether he was worth all the tears and effort? I know a man when he's hiding something or when he's cheating, i've been there, i've done that... and neil was certainly someone who acted like one.
Yes, we are no longer together, then why does he have to hide it? I offered him the easy way out and be honest... then after that he could live happily ever after with his new gf, but he refused to budge. I don't know if it was ego, or he does not want his reputation as a loyal bf to me tainted... for whatever reason, i know i could not get the truth out of him... even if it means me coughing blood.
I know things have changed immensely, but i never thought that we would end up this way. i loved neil so much. God knows how sacred i was of losing him and that what i felt for this man was true love. I hated it when i had to speak in the past tense, but believe it or not that is what our relationship is --- a distant past. I am positive that he has moved on and found someone else, and i just hope that i'll be able to move on soon enough too.
one thing is for sure, neil will always be a baby to me -- how he leans his head on my shoulder when he makes lambing, how he sweet talks and how he makes faces. he's truly such a babe, and he will forever be that way to me. And as an old friend and a past gf, i want nothing for him, but to be really happy. Yung Real Happiness!
Yes, i am sad right now, but maybe its just because of the lack of closure, lack of stability, honesty and most especially uncertainty. And maybe because I am holding on to what is supposed to be past.
I am in a total state of confusion right now. confused w neil, australia, whether i'm still inlove. Coz sometimes i feel that im still in love w neil, sometime naman parang love na lang. but i don't wanna lose neil in anyway. minsan nga i'm thinking that if God has other plans and we don't end up together, and along the way neil and i meet again... i might end up flirting with him and allow myself to be lost in a moment of infidelity. Funny and crazy... :-)
Seriously, if we end up breaking up for real after we talk when i get home, I might just need a time off and distance myself from him a bit. Let the wounds heal and find myself and find the one.
I know that Mr. Right and Mr. True Love is just around the corner. If its neil, then maybe all this is just a test. I know I'll always find myself going back to neil, even if it means being just friends. But as of now, I am wounded and only God knows when and how these wounds would heal.
As of the moment, ms. gem's friends are here stacking beds in time for the arrival of ms. gem's relatives. My mom's coming as well, so its gonna be a mad house here at home. But when they all leave in days time, we sill surely miss the noisy tatters and blabbers.
I cleaned the bathroom when I came from work. My mom specifically requested that the bathroom be clean upon her arrival. To those who do not her, my mom's a neat freak, and somehow I she imbibed me with such attitude. Though, in my defense i'm not as O.C. as her naman.
I was chatting with a few friends a while back at work, which contributed to the distraction that I badly needed. I'm welcoming all the messages I get through YM coz as of now, I'm out of dates. Apparently, R and my schedules do not meet since he's working on a festival now, while I still have papers to do. Although he calls me at times just to keep in touch and ask me how I am, that barely suffice for the distraction I needed.
Aside from my mom's arrival, I'm looking forward to meeting my friend Don. I just hope that my mom would allow me to stay in the city after midnight and wait for the Pearl Jam concert to end. But if ever pumyag ang mom ko, another dilemma is where do we hang out after. Melbourne is not exactly the place to find 24 hours restos.
I'm trying my damn best not to think about him and his so called confusion. In as much as I want to believe that no girl is involved, I cannot. Afterall if he really loves me, he'll move heaven and earth just to make this relationship work. And that he'll do almost anything to show me that I am the one (which if i may say he does before).
The world is really round, now I am the one running after him. and instead of running towards me, he's running after another girl. But like I said, the world will revolve again, and if its not really him then soon enough I might find myself hopelessly and madly in love for the nth time.
Everyone has his limits, and I don't know how long is mine. I hope though that its long enough until he realizes my worth. But in case that does not happen, then maybe destiny is already at work.
was about to go swimming today, but decided against it. instead went with ms gemma to melton for her friend's 40th day death (is that how you call it?). As usual people came in late, and what should have been a 12 noon prayer vigil was moved 3 hours later.
i met a lot of Filipino families, including the two guys who just lost their mother. you'd think Andy and Aron were typical guys having fun -- drinking, smoking and playing cards, but there's more to them than what people see.
I played poker with the brothers, plus their friends Ricky and John. I was not talking much yet since I've just met them and what the hell should i say anyway? after rounds of poker, I kind of did my own thing like hanging out with Ms gem's friends and eating. I was trying to distance away from these guys as they super smoke a lot and were just laughing and laughing.
Andy was more of the joker. He keeps on speaking tagalog, and it was funny the way he delivered some of the words. You can tell that he was really trying hard, and by that he made people laugh. Aron was more of the reserved and responsible one. They were really drinking hard, hence it came no surprise when Andy became a little drunk. He was noisier than ever, but deep inside I could feel his pain of losing his mom.
Towards the end of the day, Aron came inside and we chatted a bit about work, the beach and how he liked surfing. He even showed me his board. He asked me whether I wanted to come to the beach with them some time, but I said my mom is coming over so I have to pass. We talked about tennis and how its fun to see the matches live during the Australian Open.
Ricky came inside to join the fun too... But since he was half-deaf he did not stay long. But he made my day when he told me that I look like an angel. haha.
Before we left, we had picture takings. I was standing beside Andy, so when the photo ops were done, he thanked me a number of times. I just had to ask him if he's okay and that everything will be better in no time. He told me to add him in facebook, so we can be friends in farmville. haha. Okay I have revive my farm now!
So we said our goodbyes. John came to me and asked me for my number, and if I was doing anything next week coz' there's a party and he wanted me to come. I said my mom's coming over so basically I'm not free next week. I did not give him my number at all, coz' i'm a bit uncomfy that way. But he said he'll just keep in touch through facebook.
It was a good day all in all. And i feel for the mcleans, and their loss. I'm spending Xmas with them, so i'm sure it'll be fun hanging out again.
 this past month was particularly hard.everything happened simultaneously -- i lost a fair amount of money, moving out, and dealing with downfalls of relationships.
When I thought that nothing more could go wrong, N and I broke up. After 3 years of being together, we decided to give each other space, afterall there were already a lot of pot holes in our relationship. I completely agreed with him when he said that our relationship is just like a clock work, and that long distance relationship was harder than we thought it would be.
I was glad and jealous at the same time that he was having fun, going out and getting close with girl friends. I found it hard to accept that he was happy without me, while I'm stuck here alone being best friends with my computer.
I don't want to go into details as to what other problems surfaced as we cope with breaking up. But the good thing that came out of it was we were able to talk, foster honesty and finally become good friends. 
It has been only weeks since we broke up, hence I cannot say that I have moved on. And in all honesty, I don't think I want to move on, coz' deep within I'm still hoping for a reconciliation. Though I learned not to expect too much, as things have changed immensely.
I can truthfully say that I'm better now as compared to the days that passed. I can let go if necessary and I can back off if he asks for it.
I have two weeks of sem-break all to myself. The kids are spending time with Tita Cel and Jake in Geelong, while I don't see Tito Jess very often. For one, when he gets home from work I'm already in deep slumber; I don't see him every morning as well because I leave early.
This week was pretty hectic. I don't know, spending time with friends, touring the shops in the city, medical chekc-ups and of course work. Work is not as fun as I hope it would be, coz' I hate answering the phone and ebay emails. Emails are okay, but helping customers over the phone is pretty tiring. I'm having a hard time getting their accent too... To the annoyance of some, I had to ask them to spell out their ebay ids for me slowly. Some of the senior people in the office constantly remind me to do this and that, but hello there's the 3 of us in this job-share position, so whatever things done incorrectly might not necessarily be my fault.
Other than those mentioned, I believe I'm doing fine. But its still a far cry from my a-bit-glamorous job in PR.
--
Anyway, I walked Flinders lane yesterday to look for a bag which a friend asked me as favor to canvas for her. Yes, I did see this bag which cost around $180. I'm never gonna buy that simple tote for that price, even though its Longchamp. I walked a bit further down Flinders Lane to see independent boutiques there. I went into this shop Jealousy with $20-30 racks. I found this really elegant semi-formal top in navy blue. It was off- shoulder with frills and ruffles. It was so elegant and nice for $20. Prior to the sale it cost $119.
I was thinking of buying it for my mom, but I love it so much that I told myself that I'll get my mom something else-- another reason to go back to that awesome store. There were really nice dresses too of the same price but I can see my waves in the satin fabrics. Nevertheless, I still got the curves. I'll take a photo of it for everyone to see my bargain.
| | Portello Roso, Little Bourke, Melbourne 28 August 09
After dinner, some of the girls and I did a little side trip to Max Brenner for dessert. |
| | These photos were taken some years back... during the peak of friendster's popularity. Since its now on its way down, what better way to preserve these photos than to re-post it in a site with still more years to live. |
| I wonder | Aug 25, '09 12:03 PM
for everyone |
I wonder why I still bother to write a blog here, when this site's gonna be old-school soon... hmm, maybe because this is my only avenue for my non-academic writing.
I was reading through a friend's blog, and I so envy the way she expresses her thoughts. her writing was engaging, though a little "beating around the bush," it was nonetheless engaging. She was talking about finding her niche elsewhere, in the real world... but she found her niche through blogging. it may not sound very real to her, but to her readers she, her feelings and experiences are indeed real.
I'm writing this short piece not to find my niche, but to momentarily veer away from the monotonous and stressful world of academic research.
I still can't believe Cory is dead. I'm not a huge fan, maybe coz' I abhor politics, but she was an inspiration to those who witnessed her heroic activities. I remember weeks ago Tita Cecil asked me to inform her if Cory dies, knowing I read pep.ph often. Then she thought that news channels will carry the news in its broadcasts coz' the person involved is a prominent political figure in the Philippines. But I never totally grasped her popularity until the day she died. The news on her death appeared in the primetime newscasts, Australian newspapers and media websites. My professor on Human Rights in SEA asked me about it too.
I dared not read about her journey from being a plain housewife to becoming the first woman president in the Philippines and Asia, afterall this has been discussed a gazillion times when I was still in Miriam. Instead, I scoured pep.ph everyday, reading articles about what foreign leaders, her friends, her foes and her family say about her. It was my way of getting to know her outside of her political persona. Foreign leaders and local dignitaries described her as an inspiration and a symbol of democracy. Family and friends see her as a selfless individual who was a mother to both the country and her family.
The recent article published in pep.ph on Boy Abunda's interview with Kris Aquino accentuated and justified how selfless Cory Aquino was. In the eyes of a daughter, Cory loved the country so dearly that she can sacrifice everything for the nation and its people, thus she gave Ninoy to the country. And she believed that it was all worth it... Filipinos are worth it. Kris gave a day-by recount on what transpired one-month before her mom's death. It was July 1 when she asked the doctor how long they are looking at. The doctor said weeks. The month before her mom's death was a period of healing wounds, saying sweet nothings, a period of promises and acceptance. Kris also described the pain her mom felt due to colon cancer - a simple touch, a hug or a little-hard kiss made Cory grimace in pain.
It was in the middle of the month, Kris was outside of the hospital room when a nurse called her saying that her mom was saying "Ninoy". When she came into the room, she saw that her mom's face was illuminated by a bright light not coming from the bedside lamp which was on. Her mom alledgedly saw Ninoy trying to hold her hand and fetching her. Her husband was her "sundo".
About July 28, Cory's heart rate became erratic. July 30, her heart rate was going down. Kris asked her once again what they can do for her, and she just said "family". The doctor advised to gather all family members as the time has come. A little after 3am of August 1, she breath her last. It was said to be a peaceful "haaah".
The article showed the kind of person she was out of her political stature, and she was no different from the political activist we knew. While she was selfless as leader, she was compassionate as a mother and a friend. While she was powerful as the nation's president, she was likewise a fighter in her battle of cancer. And while she was an inspiration to the people of the nation, she was a pillar of strenght to her family.
To Tita Cory, you are a legend in life and in death.
| | Mom visited for two weeks and instead of staying in Melbourne, we decided to see Adelaide for a change. Our 4-day tour included a walk in the city, train travel to Glenelg Beach and a day-tour of the Barossa Valley. Had fun on all accounts. The hostel experience was something different too. Though the room was not superb (but okay for a hostel), we had fun cooking meals for ourselves (see the huge steak serving) and staying until late night to catch a movie at the common TV area. |
| | I love Melbourne coz' of its food offerings. Last night we had this authentic Thai food at busy Lygon St. The food was really authentic and spicy. But it was super good. Nothing fancy, just good food.
I had pandan chicken, coconut rice and vegetable rolls. |
I'm starting on my second paper on the Congo wars. I was hesitant taking on this topic coz' I absolutely have no idea what they say is the "the deadliest war since world war II" all about. I listened to reader guides and read blogs and online articles on Congo. It has a long history of struggles dating back in the 1800s. Struggles that involved power and wealth over the rich lands of Congo. Did you know that Congo is opulent in diamonds, copper and coltan? Did you know that coltan is a kind of mineral that is used in mobile phones, laptops and other electronics? And that Congo holds the world’s largest reserves? Government and rebels fight for control of these rich minerals at the expense of the Congolese. Congo right now is a rich and dead land... While aid organizations like Doctors without Borders and the United Nations are sending funds for health and food, Congo army and officials are pillaging what should have been for the people. Corruption is widespread; violence is everywhere; and rape has become a weapon of war. The results are horrendous: More than 4 million people have died of malnutrition and counting... 
Women were raped and those who fought back are killed...  Some were burned...  Some were cut into pieces....  Human rights have been violated in Congo... and people are dying a slow and painful death.
Thank you TIMES Magazine online for the photos.
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